LFB Press Officers

Shaun Bailey: How many press officers did LFB employ in the 2019/20 year and what was the total cost of this?

The Mayor: The media team at London Fire Brigade (LFB) operates a core press office operating from 8.30am to 5.30pm and a 24/7 out of hours press service. As well as responding to media queries, the press team warns and informs local communities during significant incidents such as large house fires, and campaigns on key issues to keep Londoners safe. This team includes 1 x News Manager, 3 x Senior Communications Officers and 2 x Communications Officers. The total cost of the LFB media team is £352,066.47. This total includes pension and National Insurance contributions, as well as an out of hours allowance budget.

Congestion Charge Revenue

Shaun Bailey: What is the total additional revenue you expect to receive as a result of implementing the temporary changes to the Congestion Charge?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) brought forward proposals to expand the scope and level of the Congestion Charge as a condition of the emergency funding provided by Government.
The Congestion Charge was previously £11.50 a day, operational between 7am and 6pm Mondays to Fridays, excluding public holidays. Since 22 June, the operating hours have been extended 7am until 10pm, seven days a week, and the charge increased to £15 per day.
The net revenue TfL forecasts it will receive as a consequence of implementing the temporary changes, if they were to be kept in place for the rest of the financial year, is £80-£100m over the full year. There are many variables - including changing Government guidelines on working from home, hospitality opening times and socialising - which could affect this. The changes are temporary and subject to review, so any forecast of revenue is inherently uncertain. The uplift from the temporary changes is offset by a reduction in baseline volumes.

Diesel air pollution (3)

Leonie Cooper: Do you agree with me that the Government’s planned date to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles of 2035 is too late?

The Mayor: Yes, 2035 is too late.My Transport Strategyand the London Environment Strategyoutlinemy ambition for allnewly registeredcars and vans to be zero emission from2030, and all other vehicles by 2040.This iscompatiblewithour commitment to the 2015 Paris Agreement,which aimsto limit the global average temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.
Ireiterated my call for the end ofnewpetrol,diesel and hybridcarsandvanssalesby 2030in response to the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles’recentconsultation.